,,EAG]

              ,,HEL5 ,,FOX

     ,PUBLI%$ 0,YE>L+1 AN IMPR9T (
        ,R&OM ,H\SE ,*N'S ,BOOKS
     ,A ,DIVI.N ( ,R&OM ,H\SE1 ,9C4
               ,NEW ,YORK
       ,COPY"R #BJJD 0,HEL5 ,FOX
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
             ,C>OLYN ,RI<I
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #A-AJJ

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
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            ,S1TTLE ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJG
                                     ;II
























                                    ;III








            ,) LOVE & ?ANKS
               = ,JOHD--
       ? BOOK WD N H HAPP5$ )\T Y
                   &
   = ,KAY ,COLLISON1 A REM>KA# T1*]1
          :O 5C\RAG$ ME 6BE ME










                                     ;IV
























                 ,,EAG]               #A

               ,,PROLOGUE

  ,,EGR#C /OOD 9 ! SMALL D>K ROOM &
WAT*$ ! SEA4 ,X TUM#D & RO>$ 2L HM4 ,!
SPRAY ROSE S HI< X ?R1T5$ 6T\* HM1 B !
W9D C>RI$ X AWAY 2F X CD R1* T F>4 ,!
SKY 0 BLACK & L[]+1 &! SEA A CAULDRON (
GRAY4 ,HE CD TA/E "S?+ FAMILI>4 ,:AT 0
X8 ,SALT4
  ,! ROOM XF 0 AT ! TOP (! H\SE1 TUCK$
"U ! EAVES4 ,! LI<T ON ! L&+ _H BE5 LEFT
ON &A ?9 B1M PEEK$ "U ! DOOR4 ,O!RWISE1
! ONLY LI<T 0 ! PALE GL[ (A /REETLAMP "?
! CURTA9.S W9D[4
  ,,EGR#C _H SP5T NE>LY ALL 8 LIFE 9 !
ROOM4 ,YET HE _H TRAVEL$ "? ! /REETS (!
C;Y1 CLIMB$ /EPS & HILLS4 ,HE _H RUN 9 !
WOODS1 DODG+ FALL5 LOGS & HOLES T %[$
!MVS AT ! LA/ MO;T4 ,HE _H /OOD 9 AWE1
LOOK+ UP AT GRT TREES & LI/5+ 6! MURMUR+
( _! L1VES &! CR1K+ ( _! BRAN*ES4 ,HE _H
WALK$ UP & D[N TRA9S & HOV]BUSES1 KEEP+
8 BAL.E Z !Y TIPP$ & TURN$ OR SP$ OV]
BUMPS4 ,HE _H PRACTIC$ *OPP+ WOOD &   #B
?R1D+ NE$LES1 P\R+ WAT] & MOV+ H1VY OB-
JECTS4 ,& ALL ! "T 8 BRA9 0 ASK+1 & -P>-
+1 & CATALOG+1 & /OR+ AWAY ! EXP]I;ES4
  ,A GU/ ( W9D KNOCK$ HM (F BAL.E & HE
HA/ILY /EPP$ BACK F ! $GE (! CLIFF4 ,HE
HE>D ! DOOR (! ROOM SLIDE OP54 ,A HUMAN
WD N H HE>D1 B ,,EGR#C'S HE>+ 0 Z %>P Z
AN [L'S4
  8,GD EV5+1 ,PROFESSOR10 HE SD1 TURN+
T[>D ! DOOR J 9 "T 6GLIMPSE A LUM9\S
BALL Z X FLOAT$ ACR ! L&+ & \ ( SI<T4 ,!
PROFESSOR1 A /OCKY MAN ) UNRULY :ITE
HAIR1 CAME 96! ROOM & SMIL$ A BROAD
SMILE4 ,X SURPRIS$ & DELI<T$ ,,EGR#C1 R
Z ! SU45 APPE>.E (! SUN _H ?RILL$ HM1 !
F/ "T HE _H SE5 X RISE4
  8,GD EV5+1 ,,EGR#C4 ,& H[ >E Y TN80
  8,I'M ON ! $GE (A CLIFF10 REPLI$
,,EGR#C1 :O "U/OOD ! "Q 6BE AB 8 PROG-
RESS4 8,LOOK+ D[N ON ! SEA40 ,A HOV]BUS
SKIRT$ ! W9D[1 PLUNG+ !M 96D>K;S4 ,X
MOV$ SL[LY BY1 & LI<T SEEP$ 96! ROOM AG4
  8,& >E Y GO+ 6G D[N 6! SEA80 ASK$ !
PROFESSOR4
  8,OH1 NO60 EXCLAIM$ ,,EGR#C4        #C
8,X'S M* TOO R\<4 ,2SS1 IF ,I TRY 6CLIMB
D[N ! CLIFF ,I MAY FALL & BR1K "S?+4 ,&
IF ,I /EP OV] ! $GE ,I W ''' 2 DE/ROY$40
,HE /OPP$1 AN UNFAMILI> S5S,N RIS+ 9SIDE
HM4
  ,! PROFESSOR NO4$4 8,G ON40
  8,! CLIFF $GE IS UNEV54 ,X IS POSSI# T
,I MI<T LOSE MY FOOT+4 ,OR ! GR.D MI<T
GIVE WAY4 ,! $GE IS TOO DANG]\S4 ,I W
/EP BACK40
  ,! PROFESSOR MOV$ FUR!R 96! ROOM4
,,EGR#C CD SEE 8 EYES CLE>LY N[ 9 ! LI<T
F ! W9D[4
  8,,EGR#C40 ,! PROFESSOR'S VOICE 0 S(T4
8,I 2LIEVE Y >E R1DY40 ,HE LOOK$ 9T5TLY
AT HM =A MO;T1 !N WALK$ T[>D ! DOOR4
  8,PROFESSOR80
  8,YES80 ,HE /EPP$ BACK 96! ROOM &
,,EGR#C CD SEE 8 FACE ONCE M4
  8,YR EYES4 ,! LOOK !Y H4 ,IS T :AT Y
CALL A ,8K9D0' EXPRES.N80
  ,! CORN]S (! PROFESSOR'S M\? TURN$
SLI<TLY UPW>D4 8,I HOPE S1 ,,EGR#C4 '''
,YES1 YES1 X IS40
  ,HE TURN$ AG & 0 G"O1 ! DOOR        #D
SLID+ G5TLY 2H HM4























               ,,*APT] #A             #E

  ,! ,BELL FAMILY LIV$ 9 ! SUBURBS1 9 A
H\SE BUILT ( GLASS & /EEL1 DESIGN$ 0,MR4
,BELL4 ,_! NEI<BORS 9 ,WYN/ON ,AV5UE1 :O
AL LIV$ 9 GLASS H\SES1 _H PLANT$ TALL
D5SE H$GES 6%IELD !M F VIEW4 ,MR4 &
,MRS4 ,BELL SD :AT 0 ! PO9T (A B1UTI;L
H\SE IF NO "O ELSE CD 5JOY X1 & BUILT
!MVS A L[ BRICK WALL4 ,H["E1 !Y LIK$ _!
PRIVACY Z M* Z ANY"O1 & X 0 =TUNATE T !
H\SE 0 SECLUD$ 02+ SET ON A B5D 9 !
ROAD4 ,"! 0 AL A HUGE LIME TREE 9 !
FRONT G>D5 T VEIL$ "O SIDE (! BUILD+4
  ,! C5T] (! H\SE 0 AN ATRIUM1 PAV$ )
BRICK & FULL ( PLANTS & FL[]S4 ,A WIDE
HALLWAY OP5+ ONTO X 3NECT$ ! GR.D-FLOOR
ROOMS4 ,"! 0 A HALF-L&+ ) AN (FICE1 EX]-
CISE ROOM & /UDY >EA2 B$ROOMS & BA?ROOMS
7 ON ! TOP FLOOR4 ,! L& AT ! BACK 0 DI-
VID$ 96GRASS1 A VEGETA# G>D5 &A SLI<TLY
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  ,Z DAWN APPROA*$1 ! BIRDS 9 ! LIME
TREE 2GAN _! *ORUS4 ,A GRAY CAT SL9K$
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9T]E/ ! ,BELLS1 ADJU/$ RO( PANELS 6CR1TE
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GO+ 6! LE>N+ C5T] =A GAME ( LIVEBALL4 ,T
0 ! GD BIT4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 HE 0 SURE HE
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?9K ,I LOOK V SM>T40
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  8,I'M MEET+ ! TOP P AT ,LIFE,CORP10 HE
3T9U$4 8,WE'RE GO+ 6BUILD !M A NEW FAC-
TORY40
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7 ASK$ N 6TELL ANY"O B S9CE WE'VE WON WE
C H>DLY KEEP X A SECRET ANYMORE4 ,N[1 ,I
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  8,DON'T GET EXCIT$10 _! "F SD4 8,X'S
ON ! $GE (! C;Y4 ,I 0 HOP+ X MI<T 2 "S":
EXOTIC L ,ITALY OR ,TANZANIA S ,I'D 2
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8,I GIVE IN40
















                                     #AF
























               ,,*APT] #B            #AG

  ,GRUMPS /OOD 9 ! KIT*5 & LOOK$ AT 8
VEGETA# PIE4 ,HE _H MADE X Z A MA9 C\RSE
6FOLL[ ! TOMATO S\P1 B HE _H AN 9KL+ T X
WD N 2 WELCOME 9 ! D9+ ROOM4 ,? 0 N ! F/
"T ! FAMILY _H FAIL$ 6%[ _! USUAL 5?USI-
ASM = 8 M1LS4 ,"! 0 "S?+ AMISS & X TR\#D
HM4
  8,I'M GETT+ OLD1 ( C\RSE10 HE TOLD 8
FR1 ! KETTLE1 : SAT NEXT 6! S9K4 ,HE BE-
GAN 6SWEEP VEGETA# PEEL+S 96! WA/E-
4POSAL UNIT4 8,:5 ,I 0 LAUN*$ ONTO ! M>-
KET--FIFTE5 YE>S AGO T IS--,I 0 ! V LAT-
E/ MODEL4 ,! BUTL]4 ,WE 7 ALL BUTL]S 9
^? "DS1 OR H\SEKEEP]S4 ,WE W]5'T ! F/
ROBOTS1 ( C\RSE4 ,DID Y "K1 WE G BACK 6!
TW5TIE? C5TURY8 ,MY ANCE/ORS US$ 6ASSEM#
C>S & TELEVI.N SETS4 ,!Y CDN'T ?9K1 M9D
Y4 ,N Z Y C10 HE A4$ K9DLY4 8,!Y J DID !
SAME REPETITIVE TASK4 ,WE 7 ! F/ :O CD D
"EY?+--MOVE1 TALK1 ?9K1 R1SON1 LE>N '''0
,8 VOICE TRAIL$ (F4 ,! LI<T ON ! KETTLE
FLA%$ ON4
  8,HELLO60 *IRP$ ! KETTLE4 8,H[ _M CUPS
D Y REQUIRE80                        #AH
  8,! F/ FULLY AUTOMAT$ H\SEHOLD ROBOT1
T 0 ME10 3T9U$ ,GRUMPS4 8,( C\RSE1 X'S
ALL *ANG$4 ,! _W DOES1 Y "K4 ,NO "O
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WA/E-4POSAL UNIT4
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FILL MYF AUTOMATIC,Y10 TRUMPET$ ! KET-
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  8,GRUMPS10 SD ! H\SE1 8Y >E NE$$ 9 !
D9+ ROOM4 ,T BABY ONCE AG HAS ?R[N AWAY
XS B[L40
  ,GRUMPS DECID$ AG/ ! ROBOT CL1N] = S*
A SMALL JOB & W5T 6FET* A DU/PAN & FLOOR
CLO?4
  8,0! WAY10 REM>K$ ! H\SE1 8,I'VE BE5
LI/5+ 6! FAMILY4 ,!Y'RE TALK+ AB GETT+
RID ( Y40 ,X TURN$ XS ATT5;N BACK 6!
,BELLS4
  ,! D9+ ROOM 0 / BUZZ+ ) TALK4      #AI
,N[ T ,MRS4 ,BELL _H AGRE$ T "! 0 A
PRO#M ) ,GRUMPS1 "EY"O 0 DET]M9$ 6F9D A
SOLU;N4 ,X 0 N PROV+ AN EASY TASK4
  8,SWIT* (F10 SD ,GAV91 NOTIC+ ! GRE5
LI<T 0! DOOR4
  8,I J WANT 6TELL Y T .HE'S ON 8 WAY10
SD ! H\SE4 8,IN MY OP9ION1 Y %D G AH1D &
REPLACE HM4 ,:AT GD IS HE )A BROK5 "TR8
,HE DOESN'T "K :E!R X'S NOON OR NI<T1 OR
:AT "D (! WEEK X IS1 = T MATT]40
  8,Y CD H TOLD HM60 SD ,GAV9 A3US+LY4
  8,! H\SE IS "R10 SD ,FLEUR4 8,BR1KFA/
0 A FIASCO4 ,WE C'T 2 TELL+ HM ! "T E
FIVE M9UTES40
  ,MR4 ,BELL 9T]V5$4 8,WE'VE AGRE$ WE
C'T G ON L ?1 : M1NS WE NE$ 6BUY A NEW
ROBOT4 ,! "Q REMA9S1 :AT D WE D )
,GRUMPS80
  ,! DOOR OP5$ 2F ANY"O _H A *.E 6REPLY
&! BUTL] APPE>$4 ,6HIS SURPRISE1 !Y 7
SITT+ >.D ! TA# EXACTLY Z HE _H LEFT !M4
,P]H !Y 7 WAIT+ =! MA9 C\RSE AF ALL4 ,!N
HE NOTIC$ T !Y 7 LOOK+ AT HM ) AN EX-
PRES.N HE DID N RECOGNIZE4
  8,WE'VE PICK$ UP MO/ ( X10 SD      #BJ
,MRS4 ,BELL1 9DICAT+ ! MESS ON ! FLOOR4
  8,D Y REQUIRE ANY?+ M 6EAT80
  8,NO1 ?ANK Y40
  8,"S?+ SMELLS GD10 SD ,GAV94
  8,I H MADE YR FAVORITE VEGETA# PIE4 ,&
! PU4+ T ,MISS ,FLEUR IS S FOND (40
  ,MRS4 ,BELL'S FACE S(T5$ & %E LOOK$
M1N+;LLY R.D ! TA# AT H] FAMILY4 8,WE'LL
H !M TN4 ,?ANK Y40
  ,"! 0 A SIL;E Z ,GRUMPS REGI/]$ ,MRS4
,BELL'S ^WS4 ,8 H1VY /EEL F1TURES TOOK
ON A D[NCA/ EXPRES.N4 8,I H FAIL$ AG1
HAV5'T ,I80
  ,MRS4 ,BELL %IFT$ 9 H] S1T4 8,X'S YR
"TR4 ,Y "K X DOESN'T "W PROP]LY4 ,Y M/
ASK ! H\SE :5 Y'RE 3FUS$40
  8,I DIDN'T "K ,I 0 3FUS$10 SD ! BUTL]
9 A DOLE;L T"O4 8,^! D>K MORN+S & EV5+S
--,I GET MU4L$40
  8,WE'D H Y REPAIR$ IF WE CD10 SD ,MR4
,BELL4 8,B YR "TR IS S DEEP 9 YR WIR+ T
X CD DAMAGE YR 5TIRE SY/EM40
  ,"! 0 ANO!R PAUSE1 PUNCTUAT$ 0SWEEP+
S.DS Z ,GRUMPS CL1N$ ! FLOOR4 ,HE
/RAI<T5$ UP1 ! DU/PAN 9 8 H&4 8,I    #BA
AM OBSOLETE10 HE SD MATT]-(-FACTLY4
  8,T'S RIDICUL\S60 EXCLAIM$ ,MRS4
,BELL4
  8,Y CD REPLACE ME )A MODEL T IS FIVE
"TS '''0 ,HE RECONSID]$4 8''' ,?REE "TS
M E6ICI5T ?AN ,I AM40
  8,Y FUNC;N P]FECTLY WELL4 ,A"P F ! MI-
NOR PRO#M ( YR "TR ''' ,:Y %D WE REPLACE
Y1 Y'RE "O (! FAMILY6 ,Y'VE BE5 ) U S9CE
WE 7 M>RI$40
  8,I %D N M9D GO+ 6! SCRAPH1P10 W5T ON
,GRUMPS4 8,AF ALL1 ,I %D H NO K ( X1
ONCE Y REMOV$ MY BATT]IES40
  ,FLEUR LOOK$ AT ,GAV9 & ROLL$ H] EYES4
,HE PRET5D$ N 6NOTICE4
  8,G BACK 6! KIT*51 ,GRUMPS10 SD ,MR4
,BELL4 8,WE'LL -E & TALK 6Y LAT]40
  ,FLEUR PUT H] H& 6H] =EH1D4 8,I %AN'T
M9D GO+ 6! SCRAPH1P60 %E MIMICK$4 8,OH1
,I C'T BE> X4 ,X'S TOO1 TOO TRAGIC60
  8,WE HUMANS DON'T LA/ ="E10 SD ,MR4
,BELL 6HIS WIFE1 8& NEI D MA*9ES4 ,"!'S
"S TRU? 9 :AT HE SAYS40
  8,I HOPE Y DON'T S5D .ME 6! SCRAPH1P
IF A "P ( ME WE>S \10 RETORT$        #BB
,MRS4 ,BELL4 8,HE'S N ANY OLD MA*9E6
,HE'S A C>+1 ?9K+1 FEEL+ MA*9E40
  8,X 0 K9D ( HM 6MAKE \R FAVORITE
FOOD10 SD ,GAV94
  ,8 DAD SI<$4 8,X ISN'T K9D;S--HE'S
SIMPLY DESIGN$ 6REP1T ! ?+S T PL1SE U4
,LOOK1 J 2C ,GRUMPS C HOLD A 3V]S,N X
DOESN'T M1N HE ACTU,Y "U/&S ?+S L WE D4
,HE MI<T 2HAVE L A HUMAN OR AN ANIMAL B
X ISN'T R1L4 ,HE C'T FEEL ANY?+4 ,HE HAS
NO IMAG9,N1 NO EMO;NS1 NO LIKES & DIS-
LIKES40
  ,AL? ,FLEUR _H N"E RE,Y ?"\ AB X 2F1
%E WI%$ %E CD AGREE ) H] DAD4 ,LIFE 0
DI6ICULT 5 )\T HAV+ 63SID] ! FEEL+S (
ROBOTS4 ,YET HE 0 WR;G4
  8,GRUMPS DOES H LIKES & 4LIKES4 ,Y C
TELL HE DOESN'T GET ON )! H\SE B HE'S V
FOND (! KETTLE40
  8,WELL1 HE HAS PREF];ES10 SD H] DAD4
8,! MANUFACTUR]S PROGRAMM$ HM T WAY TO
GIVE HM A BIT ( "*4 ,B X'S L A CAT :O
PREF]S A "PICUL> CU%ION1 X DOESN'T M1N
M*40
  8,IF Y'RE GO+ 6-P>E A ROBOT 6AN    #BC
ANIMAL '''10 2GAN ,MRS4 ,BELL4
  8,ANIMALS >E ALIVE1 ,MUM10 SD ,GAV9
G5TLY4 8,ROBOTS >E J MA*9ES T RUN ON AN
5]GY SUPPLY40
  ,ONCE AG ,FLEUR FELT OBLIG$ 6CORRECT
H] FAMILY'S GRASP (! FACTS4 8,ANIMALS
NE$ AN 5]GY SUPPLY TOO4 ,!Y GET _!S F
FOOD40
  8,I 0 GO+ 6SAY10 P]SI/$ ,MRS4 ,BELL1
8T WE WD ONLY PUT AN ANIMAL D[N IF X 0 V
V SICK4 ,! ONLY ?+ WR;G ) ,GRUMPS IS 8
"TR40
  8,LIFE HAS 2COME V TOPSY-TURVY 2C (
X10 SD H] HUSB&4 8,2SS1 HE'S OLD-
FA%ION$4 ,MOD]N ROBOTS C D S M* M40
  8,:AT M D WE NE$ HM 6D80
  ,H] FAMILY 0 MO;T>ILY ?R[N 0! "Q4
  8,H PROP] LEGS &A FLEXI# BODY S X C
PLAY GAMES ) U10 SU7E/$ ,GAV94 8,X CD
RUN & KICK A BALL40
  8,WE %D BUY "O ) L;G TAP]+ F+]S T C
WA% MY HAIR & PLAIT X = ME10 SD ,FLEUR
DR1MILY4
  ,MRS4 ,BELL LOOK$ EXPECTANTLY AT H]
HUSB&4                               #BD
  8,WELL1 Z ,GAV9 SAYS1 X WD 2 NICE 6H
"O T C PLAY GAMES40
  8,V NICE10 AGRE$ ,MRS4 ,BELL1 8B N ES-
S5TIAL40 ,H] VOICE TOOK ON A PL1D+ T"O4
8,GRUMPS HAS S]V$ U LOY,Y OV] ! YE>S4 ,X
RE,Y DOESN'T MATT] 6ME :E!R HE'S ANIMAL1
VEGETA# OR M9]AL1 OR N4 ,:AT DOES X SAY
AB U IF WE S5D AN O!RWISE GD ROBOT 6!
SCRAPH1P J 2C HE ISN'T P]FECT80
  ,H] HUSB& & *N LOOK$ AT EA* O!R1 TAC-
ITLY AGREE+ T X 0 USE.S 6>GUE4 ,EA* _H A
PO9T ( VIEW1 B N"O ( !M FELT Z /R;GLY Z
,MRS4 ,BELL4
  8,X / DOESN'T SOLVE \R PRO#M10 SD ,MR4
,BELL4
  8,:Y DON'T WE KEEP ,GRUMPS & BUY A NEW
ROBOT 6HELP HM80 SD ,GAV94
  ,8 MUM SEEM$ LO/ 9 ?"\4
  8,T'S A GD IDEA10 SD 8 DAD4 8,M9D Y1
TWO ROBOTS1 TWO ADULTS & ?REE *N ''' X
CD 2 A BIT CR[D$40
  8,C ,I L1VE ! TA#80 SD ,FLEUR4 8,I H
6GET ON ) MY PROJECT40
  ,MRS4 ,BELL SU45LY 2CAME ANIMAT$4
8,WE'D NE$ "O T CD FIT 9 ) ,GRUMPS   #BE
IF !Y'RE GO+ 6"W TGR4 ,PET]1 :Y DON'T Y
ASK YR FR1 ! PROFESSOR1 = ADVICE80
  ,FLEUR TURN$ BACK AT ! DOOR4 8,I'VE
GOT A GD SU7ES;N4 ,MY FR ,M>CIA'S J B"\
! LATE/ MODEL4 ,X'S CALL$ A ,,BDC#D &
X'S--0
  8,F> 2Y \R M1NS40 ,H] DAD ROLL$ 8
EYES4 8,! ONLY P :O C AF=D "S?+ T SO-
PHI/ICAT$ >E TE*NOCRATS OR GOV]N;T M9IS-
T]S4 ,YR FR ,M>CIA IS 9 A DI6]5T L1GUE F
U4 ,H"O/LY1 :5 Y ?9K :AT -PLEX MA*9]Y T
GIRL HAS J 6C>RY H] BAGS ''' ,I _HN'T
?"\ (! PROFESSOR1 ,*LOE4 ,I'LL CALL HM
TD40
  8,HUH60 CRI$ ,FLEUR1 Z %E FL\NC$ \ (!
ROOM4 8,:AT DOES A PROFESSOR "K AB
/YLE80
  ,%ORTLY AF1 ,MR4 ,BELL LEFT = 8 MEET+
& ,GAV9 PLAY$ ) ,*>LOTTE UNTIL ,GRUMPS
_H CLE>$ AWAY ! BR1KFA/ ?+S4
  8,I'M 9T]VIEW+ OV] ! GOBEY = AN H\R OR
S10 SD ,MRS4 ,BELL1 :O 0 9 *>GE ( EM-
PLOY;T 7HUMAN & ROBOTIC7 AT A L>GE HO-
TEL4 8,!N ,I'M GO+ 96"W & TAK+ ,*>LOTTE
6! "D C>E C5T]4 ,Y'RE /AY+ AT        #BF
HOME1 >5'T Y80
  8,TILL ? AFN10 SD ,GAV91 & WAIT$ = H]
64APPE> 2F B.D+ 6! TOP (! H\SE4 ,PASS+ !
/UDY >EA1 HE NOTIC$ T ,FLEUR 0 ALR "W+
ON ! GOBETWE54 ,HE _H PL5TY 6D HMF B F/
HE _H "S BURN+ "QS 6ASK4
  ,"UN1? ! RO( 0 AN 5TIRE ROOM DEVOT$ 6!
GOBETWE54 ,GAV9 W5T 9 & SELECT$ A PAIR (
GLASSES F A HOOK ON ! WALL4 ,HE SLIPP$
!M ON & /OOD 9 FRONT (! L>GE SCRE54
  8,GET ME ,SOCRATES10 HE SD4
  ,"! APPE>$ A MI4LE-AG$ MAN )A PROTRUD+
/OMA*1 SITT+ 2N AN OLIVE TREE4 ,HE WORE
! HOMESPUN :ITE ROBE (! ANCI5T ,GREEKS4
,GAV9 SAT ON ! GRASS OPPOSITE HM4
  8,SOCRATES1 D Y ?9K A ROBOT HAS "RS80
  ,SOCRATES FR[N$4 8,I AM N FAMILI> )!
T]M Y USE4 ,:AT IS A ROBOT80
  ,( C\RSE1 !Y _H NO S* ?+ 9 #DBJ ,,BC1
AL? ,GAV9 WD N H BE5 SURPRIS$ IF !Y _H
9V5T$ ! NO;N4 ,UN=TUNATELY HE CDN'T ?9K
( ANO!R ^W T ! ,GREEK MI<T "K4
  8,X'S A MA*9E T C ?9K4 ,"S ( !M >5'T T
CL"E & J D A "PICUL> JOB L BUILD+ WALLS1
B "S ( !M >E V 9TELLIG5T & >E A      #BG
BIT L U40
  ,! PHILOSOPH] L1N$ BACK AG/ ! TREE4
8,& :Y %D ? MA*9E H "RS80
  8,T'S :AT ,I'M WOND]+10 SD ,GAV94 8,Y
& ,I TALK$ ! O!R "D AB ANIMALS HAV+ "RS1
& ,I ?"\ AB X & !Y D40
  ,SOCRATES NO4$ B X 0 H>D 6TELL IF HE
APPROV$4 ,GAV9 KNEW F EXP]I;E T HE
DIDN'T SAY :AT HE ?"\4 ,HE SIMPLY ASK$
LOTS ( "QS UNTIL Y SAW ! ANSW] = YRF4
  ,GAV9 W5T ON1 8,!N Y ASK$ :E!R HUMANS
_H A "R 6BE FREE--,I KNEW MY ANSW] 6T "O
2C WE DON'T 2LIEVE 9 SLAV]Y N[A"DS4 ,!N
Y SD :AT AB A "R 6BE HAPPY4 ,I'M N SURE
AB T1 B IF WE D1 ,I DON'T SEE :Y ROBOTS
%DN'T 2 HAPPY TOO40
  8,& :AT WD MAKE A ROBOT HAPPY80
  8,DAD SAYS X'S MAK+ HUMANS HAPPY 2C
T'S :AT !Y'RE PROGRAMM$ ''' BUILT 6D40
  8,:AT AB FREE W80 ASK$ ,SOCRATES4
8,DOES ! ROBOT H ANY FREEDOM 6*OOSE H[ X
2HAVES80
  ,GAV9 HESITAT$4 8,N IF X C ONLY D :AT
WE TELL X 6D1 ,I SUPPOSE4 ,B !N1 IF WE
BUILT A ROBOT T CD *OOSE = XF '''0   #BH
--AF _M SES.NS )! PHILOSOPH] HE _H GR[N
US$ 6REFLECT+ ON 8 [N "QS--8!N X .WD H
FREE W4 ,S !N WE %D GIVE X ! "R 6*OOSE
6BE HAPPY1 OR FREE1 OR :AT"E4 ,O!RWISE1
X WD 2 WR;G 6BUILD X ) FREE W10 HE CON-
CLUD$4
  ,HE 0 V PL1S$ ) 8 LOGIC B ,SOCRATES
LOOK$ AGITAT$4 ,X 0 OBVI\SLY DI6ICULT =
HM1 N "K+ :AT A ROBOT WAS4
  8,:Y DON'T Y ?9K AB X OV]NI<T80 ,GAV9
SU7E/$1 : 0 A WAY ( TELL+ ! PROGRAMM]S
,SOCRATES NE$$ M 9=M,N 6BE A# 6HELP4
  ,G5],Y AT ? PO9T A SIGN WD APPE> SAY+
.,ASK .,PLATO OR .,HO2ES1 & ,GAV9 WD
CALL UP ANO!R PHILOSOPH]4 ,TD "! 0 NO?+4
,HE DECID$ 6L1VE ,SOCRATES ONSCRE5 9
CASE HE LE>NT A BIT M 0TM4







               ,,*APT] #C            #BI

  8,D Y RE,Y ?9K ,MUM & ,DAD W BUY A NEW
ROBOT80 ,FLEUR :ISP]$ 6,GAV94 ,!Y 7
WALK+ 6! LE>N+ C5T] LAT] 9 ! "D4 ,GRUMPS
0 A FEW /EPS 2H !M1 3C5TRAT+ ALL 8 FAC-
ULTIES ON WAT*+ = DANG]S4
  8,FANCY GETT+ S UPSET OV] A MA*9E10 %E
W5T ON4 8,IF ONLY !Y'D BUY "O L ,M>-
CIE'S4 ,I HAV5'T SE5 H] YET1 B ,M>CIE
SAYS ? ,,BDC#D IS UNLIKE ANY ROBOT %E'S
"E _H40
  ,!Y TURN$ A CORN] & F.D ! WAY BLOCK$
0ROAD"WS4 ,DOZ5S ( ROBOT9AS 7 M5D+ POT-
HOLES 9 ! PAVE;T4 ,!Y SCUTTL$ >.D L GI-
ANT BEETLES1 DRA7+ /"OS & DI7+ HOLES )
_! \TSIZE >MS4 ,USU,Y ,GAV9 5JOY$ WAT*+
_! FR5ETIC ACTIV;Y1 B TD HE HURRI$ BY4
,HE _H A FUNNY FEEL+ 9 ! PIT ( 8 /OMA*4
,X MI<T H BE5 ! S\P1 B HE DIDN'T ?9K S4
  ,FLEUR FELL SIL5T1 IMAG9+ H]F ESCORT$
0A TALL BRONZ$ ROBOT ) L;G CURVY LIMBS4
,8 BURNI%$ METAL GL1M$ 9 ! SUNLI<T S T P
/OPP$ 6GAPE AT HM4 ,!N !Y TURN$ 6LOOK AT
,FLEUR1 Z IF WOND]+ :O %E CD 2 6H S* A
REGAL -PANION4 ,FLEUR IGNOR$ !       #CJ
/>ES1 H] H1D HELD HI<1 L A TE*NOBRAT AC-
CU/OM$ 6CURIOS;Y & ADMIR,N4 ,CR[DS 2GAN
6GA!R B %E &! ROBOT /ROLL$ NON*ALANTLY
ON4 ,! P "P$ 6LET !M PASS--
  8,IF ,I MAY SAY S1 ,MISS ,FLEUR0--
,GRUMPS' VOICE 9T]RUPT$ H] R"EIE--8Y AP-
PE> V 4TRACT$40
  8,I 0 BUSY ?9K+60 SD ,FLEUR4 8,H"O/LY1
Y'RE S GRUMPY1 NO WOND] WE CALL Y
,GRUMPS40
  8,I AM SORRY IF ,I H ANNOY$ Y4 ,I AM
WORRI$ AB YR CROSS+ ! ROAD4 ,! TRA6IC IS
V BUSY AT ? H\R40
  ,FLEUR R1LIZ$ T !Y _H -E 6! MA9 ROAD1
: SEP>AT$ ! RESID5TIAL >EA F FACTORIES &
(FICES4 ,! LE>N+ C5T] 0 J 2Y4 ,PODS
:IZZ$ AL;G 9 BO? DIREC;NS1 BE>+ DELIV]-
IES & SUPPLIES1 _! POLI%$ TITANIUM %ELLS
Z B"R Z SILV]4 ,"S (! L>G] "OS C>RI$
BUILD+ MAT]IALS1 FURNITURE OR ROBOT "W-
]S4
  ,Z ! *N APPROA*$ ! CROSS+1 X EMITT$ A
SIGNAL 6/OP ! TRA6IC4 ,! PODS CAME 6A
HALT4 ,! ,BELLS 7 AB 6CROSS :5 AN
ENORM\S LORRY SP$ BY1 IGNOR+ ! R$    #CA
LI<T T 2LAT$LY LIT UP4 ,GRUMPS AUTOMATI-
C,Y /EPP$ =W>D1 %IELD+ ! *N & =C+ !M
BACK ONTO ! PAVE;T4 ,! LORRY 0 FOLL[$ BY
ANO!R & ANO!R3 AN 5TIRE 3VOY ?"U$ AL;G !
ROAD4 ,GAV9 :I/L$ 9 AMAZE;T4
  8,!Y 7 PETROL-P[]$2 "! M/ 2 NEW SUP-
PLIES40
  ,FLEUR WASN'T 9T]E/$ 9 PETROL4 ,X 0
SMELLY &! FUMES MADE Y C\<4 ,!Y CROSS$ !
ROAD4 ,2H !M1 ! PODS :IRR$ 96AC;N ONCE
M4 8,WELL10 %E P]SI/$1 8:AT D Y ?9K8 ,W
!Y BUY A NEW ROBOT80
  8,I EXPECT S10 SD ,GAV94 8,B NO?+ EX-
CIT+4 ,WE'LL PROBABLY GET "O ( ^? NEW
MONKS--! "OS T SP1K S(TLY & S]VE FOOD ON
BAMBOO TRAYS4 ,MUM W SAY X'LL 2 GD =
,*>LOTTE--X'LL T1* H] 6BE 5LI<T5$1 OR
"S?+40
  ,!Y _H R1*$ ! 5TR.E 6! LE>N+ C5T]1 A
WIDE /"O GATEWAY ) HUMAN FIGURES & RO-
BOTS C>V$ 9 RELIEF4 ,A PLAQUE ON "O (!
PO/S R1D3 ..,C5T] = ,LIFEL;G ,LE>N+ &
.,A*IEVE;T4 ,9SIDE1 P ( ALL AGES 7 PUR-
POSE;LLY CRISSCROSS+ ! C\RTY>D4 ,A GR\P
CAME 96SI<T F ! DIREC;N (! >T        #CB
BLOCK4 ,"O ( !M1 AN O4LY GL[+ FIGURE1 0
T[]$ OV] 0A GOLD5 ROBOT4
  8,I 2LIEVE T IS YR FR ,M>CIA1 ,MISS
,FLEUR10 OBS]V$ ,GRUMPS4
  8,YES4 ,Y C G N[10 SD ,FLEUR HA/ILY4
,%E DR1D$ ,M>CIA MAK+ FUN ( ,GRUMPS 9
PUBLIC1 : %E (T5 DID4
  8,I AM SORRY1 ,MISS ,FLEUR10 SD
,GRUMPS4 8,I WD N 2 FULFILL+ MY DUTY 7
,I N 6ESCORT Y 6! DOOR40
  ,X 0 TOO LATE4 ,M>CIA CAME >.D ! CORN]
J Z !Y R1*$ ! BOTTOM (! /EPS 6! MA9
BUILD+4 ,H] GOLD5 -PANION 0 ! ROBOT (
,FLEUR'S DR1MS3 H] H1D A BURNI%$ DOME2
H] L;G LIMBS SCULPT$ L ! /ATUE (A ,GREEK
GO4ESS4 ,! ,,BDC#D ROBOT 0 F> M B1UTI;L
9 R1L LIFE ?AN 9 ! ADV]TISE;TS ON ! GO-
BETWE54 ,FLEUR NOT$ ) 5VY T ! LI<T GL9T$
(F H] METAL1 AL? X 0 N A "PICUL>LY SUNNY
"D4
  8,YOOHOO60 CALL$ ,M>CIA4 ,%E WALK$ UP
6!M & LOCK$ >MS ) ,FLEUR4 8,HI1 ,FLEUR4
,HELLO1 ,GAV94 ,MEET \R NEW MA*9E10 %E
SD (FH&$LY4 8,WE'VE DECID$ 6CALL H]
,BOADICEA40                          #CC
  ,A FEW O!R *N _H GA!R$ R.D1 ?\< ,M>CIA
A6ECT$ N 6NOTICE !M4
  8,I'M S HOT60 %E 3FID$ 6,FLEUR 9 A L\D
VOICE4 8,I RE,Y %D SET ,BOADICEA AT A
SL[] PACE1 B %E LOOKS S ELEGANT :5 %E
/RIDES AL;G40
  ,FLEUR & ,GAV9 />$ AT ,M>CIA'S DRESS1
: _H BE5 GL[+ A FA9T ORANGE 2N H] COAT4
,2F _! EYES X 0 GRADU,Y TURN+ A COOL
BLUE4 8,T'S BETT]10 SD ,M>CIA1 TUCK+ A
L;G /R& ( *E/NUT-COLOR$ HAIR 2H H] E>4
,%E 0 US$ 6P />+ AT H] CLO!S1 _M ( :
*ANG$ COLOR 9 RESPONSE 6V>I,NS 9 H] BODY
H1T4 ,ONCE %E _H %[N ,FLEUR A "PY DRESS
T W5T "? ALL ! HUES (! RA9B[1 CAUS+ H]
6%IMM] 9 A ?\S& LI<TS4
  8,BOADICEA1 SAY HELLO 6,FLEUR & ,GAV-
IN40
  ,! ROBOT LOOK$ ! *N UP & D[N4 8,HI10
%E SD4 8,I'VE J SP5T ! MORN+ WAT*+ ,M>-
CIE 9 ! >T ROOM4 ,%E'S S TAL5T$1 DON'T Y
?9K80
  ,%E SPOKE 9 A LAZY DRAWL L "S"O US$ TO
LY+ 2S A POOL 9 A HOT CLIMATE4 ,YET H]
EYES 7 LIVELY & H] METAL LIPS "P$    #CD
9 A FET*+ SMILE4
  ,NEI ,GAV9 NOR ,FLEUR KNEW H[ 6RE-
SPOND4 ,!Y 7 N US$ 6ROBOTS ASK+ _! OP9-
ION4
  8,I'VE J BISCUIT-FIR$ MY POT10 ,M>CIA
TOLD ,FLEUR4 8,I'M GO+ HOME 6RESE>*
,BYZANT9E POTT]Y 6GET "S ID1S = DECORAT+
X4 ,Y HAV5'T =GOTT5 Y'RE -+ R.D ? EV5+80
  8,NO10 SD ,FLEUR4
  8,-E AL;G1 ,BOADICEA40 ,M>CIA SUMMON$
H] ) AN IMP]I\S WAVE ( H] H&4 8,Y RE,Y
%D GET A NEW ROBOT1 ,FLEUR4 ,GRUMPS IS A
JOKE4 ,BYEEE60
  ,GAV9 0 SURPRIS$ T ,FLEUR DIDN'T RE-
SPOND 6,M>CIA4 8,BYE1 ,GRUMPS10 HE SD4
8,I'LL CALL Y :5 ,I WANT Y 6COLLECT ME40
,HE WAIT$ UNTIL ,GRUMPS _H MOV$ (F 2F
ASK+ 8 SI/]1 8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL ,M>CIA
WE'RE GETT+ A NEW ROBOT80
  8,:AT'S ! PO9T8 ,WE'LL N"E -PETE )
,BOADICEA40
  ,FLEUR & ,GAV9 CLIMB$ ! /EPS 6! MA9
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  8,T'S ME10 SD ,MR4 ,BELL *E];LLY4
  8,?ANK Y1 ,MR4 ,BELL40 ,! GLASS DOORS
OP5$4 8,H A GD EV5+4 ,GDBYE1 ,GAV940

















                                     #DB
























               ,,*APT] #D            #DC

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2G9N+ (! TEXT & R1D3

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8,T'S KEEP+ A FRLY EYE ON Y1 L A GR&P>5T
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O!R "T10 SD ,MR4 ,BELL4 8,? IS \R /OP40
















               ,,*APT] #E            #EC

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! WAT] US$ 6OV]FL[ & MY SLEEVES ALW GOT
SOAK$40
  8,T'S X1 EXACTLY60 CRI$ ! PROFESSOR4
8,B Y LE>NT4 ,N[1 MO/ ROBOTS H ? 9=M,N
PUT 9 _! DATABASE 0! MANUFACTUR]4 ,X'S
GOT EASI] 6D OV] ! YE>S 2C WE'VE BE5 A#
6BUILD ON ! K ( PREVI\S ROBOTS4 ,B !
DR1M HAS ALW BE5 6BUILD A ROBOT T CD
LE>N1 & "!=E ?9K1 = XF40
  ,HE /OPP$ TALK+ Z IF LO/ 9 A _W ( 8
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  ,! PROFESSOR PURS$ 8 LIPS Z IF 3C5-
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ALL4
  8,-M]CI,Y S5SITIVE1 ,I SUPPOSE10 SD
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NO?+40
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2GAN ,MR4 ,BELL1 /RU7L+ 6BE POLITE4 8,IS
X Q R1DY =! \TSIDE _W 9 T CASE80
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WE H N TAU<T X ANY?+4 ,UNLIKE O!R RO-
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X HAS LE>NT = XF40                   #GA
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SD ,MR4 ,BELL4
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  8,Z ,I SD1 WE DESIGN$ ! ,,EGR 6BE L A
NEWBORN BABY1 A /RANG] 6! _W4 ,!N WE RE-
ALIZ$ TWO ?+S4 ,! F/ IS T NO BABY IS
-PLETELY IGNORANT4 ,BABIES >E BORN ) C]-
TA9 ABILITIES--6RECOGNIZE _! "M1 6SIGNAL
:5 !Y >E HUNGRY OR ?IR/Y1 = EXAMPLE4 ,!Y
>E ,8PROGRAMM$0' 6CRAWL & WALK1 6ACQUIRE
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RE,Y A CL1N SLATE1 WD X "E LE>N ANY?+ AT
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  8,SECONDLY1 EV5 IF WE PROGRAMM$ X )!
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2F X 0 EV5 TALK+60 ,! PROFESSOR 0 V EX-
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PLAC$ X 9 IMAG9>Y SITU,NS 9 : 6LE>N AB !
_W4 ,AL? X'S BE5 NO FUR!R ?AN ? H\SE X
HAS A GD D1L ( K--AB WAT]1 RIV]S & S1S1
BUILD+S1 WOODS1 ! DANG] ( FALL+1 ( LOS+
XS WAY--0                            #GB
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Z IF ! ANSW] MI<T 2 WRITT5 ON 8 %OES4
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X _H 2COME D>K \TSIDE4 ,!Y _H BE5 4CUSS+
ROBOTS =A L;G "T4 ,AT LA/ ,PROFESSOR
,OGD5 LOOK$ UP4
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PHYSICAL _W4 ,B :AT X "KS AT PRES5T IS A
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IMPORTANT & YET S DI6ICULT =! PROFESSOR
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L[1 Z IF HE 7 TALK+ 6HMF4 8,WE C T1* X
AB ! PHYSICAL _W1 B WE C'T T1* X AB
LIFE40                               #GC
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:AT Y M1N40
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SADLY4 8,LOVE1 LOYALTY1 K9D;S1 JOY1 COM-
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'''10 HE ADMONI%$4                   #GD
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ROBOT1 & YET Y CAME 6ME 9 ! F/ PLACE TO
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MO/ =TUIT\S CO9CID;E4 ,MO/ =TUIT\S4 ,Y
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\TSIDE ! PROFESSOR'S H\SE1 SAY+ GDBYE4
  8,IS "! ANY?+ ELSE WE NE$ 6"K80 SD
,MR4 ,BELL N]V\SLY4
  8,I DON'T ?9K S10 SD ,PROFESSOR ,OGD54
8,I'LL CALL Y 9 A FEW WEEKS 6SEE H[ ?+S
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  8,C ,I ASK Y A "Q80                #GF
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BALL4 '''0
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8,SPH]E40 ,HE MADE A MOVE 6%AKE ,MR4
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  8,CD ,I J ASK "O M ?+8 ,:AT HAPP5$ TO
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NEXT PROTOTYPE CD REMEMB] "EY?+ %E
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8,"O "D WE TOOK H] =A WALK & CAME 6A
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  8,"T 6G10 HE SD4






















               ,,*APT] #G            #GI

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  8,6SAVE ! DEC5T PETROL =! IMPORTANT P
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8,WE DON'T WANT Y LOT TRAVEL+ ! _W1 Y'LL
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  8,:5 ,I 0 YR AGE1 ,FLEUR1 "EY?+ SEEM$
6BE COLLAPS+ AB U4 ,\R FOOD NO L;G] N\R-
I%$ U1 WE CDN'T MOVE = TRA6IC1 ! RIV]S &
S1S 7 POLLUT$1 TREES 7 DY+1 "! 7 FLOODS
& E>?QUAKES & HURRICANES & DR"\4 ''' ,M*
( X 0 \R FAULT4 ,& :ILE P ALL OV] ! _W 7
GETT+ RI*]1 A LOT (! POOR 7 GETT+ POOR]4
,"S P W5T ON BUY+ & BUY+ ?+S !Y DIDN'T
RE,Y NE$ Z IF T 7 ! ANSW] 6ALL \R PROB-
LEMS4
  8,MY MUM & DAD DID _! BE/4 ,!Y DECID$
T :AT RE,Y MATT]$ 9 LIFE 0 _! FAMILY1 _!
FRS1 & HELP+ O!RS4 ,LOTS ( P ?"\ ! SAME
& !Y TRI$ 6LIVE M SIMPLY4 '''0 ,%E BROKE
(F4 ,FLEUR'S EYES 7 FIX$ ON H] FACE1 : 0
BO? ?"\;L & SAD4
  8,:5 ,I GREW UP1 ,I DIDN'T ?9K !Y'D
D"O 5\<4 ,YR DAD ?"\ ! SAME4 ,"! 7 ?\S&S
( U1 "Y P ''' WE DEM&$ H1L?Y FOOD1 CL1N
AIR1 B MO/ ( ALL1 A FAIR] SY/EM4 ,"! 0
NO GOBEY1 B WE _H "S?+ SIMIL> & SU45LY !
:OLE _W CD TALK 6EA* O!R4 ,WE DIDN'T
WANT ANY"O 6SU6] 6PRODUCE FOOD OR GDS =
U1 :E!R !Y LIV$ NEXT DOOR OR ! O!R   #HG
SIDE (! PLANET4 ,X FELT Z IF "EY"O 0 \R
NEI<BOR4
  8,!N ! PETROL 2GAN 6RUN \ &! R1L *ANG-
ES 2GAN4 ,! AIR GREW CL1N]1 B WE CDN'T
USE \R C>S ANYMORE OR TRAVEL L;G 4T.ES4
,WE 2GAN 6LIVE Z WE D N[1 GR[+ \R FOOD
LOC,Y1 & "W+ NE>BY1 ) P L \RVS40
  8,B "! >E / POOR P & RI* P4 ,LOOK AT !
P 9 ! C;Y6 ,&! TE*NOCRATS H "EY?+40
,FLEUR ?"\ ) BITT];S ( H] VISIT 6,M>CIA4
  ,H] "M /ROK$ H] HAIR4 8,DID Y RE,Y ?9K
WE CD H CR1T$ A P]FECT _W80 ,%E PLAC$ H]
H&S 9 H] LAP & LOOK$ T[>D ! W9D[4 8,"O
?+ DIDN'T *ANGE4 ,WE / TURN$ 6! GOV]N;T
&! SCI5TI/S 6SOLVE MO/ ( \R PRO#MS4 ,X 0
EASI] 6D T ?AN *ANGE \RVS4 ,_M P ?"\ !
NEW TE*NOLOGY WD 2 ! ANSW]4 ,! ROBOTS
CAME & LIFE DID 2COME EASI] ''' 9 "S
WAYS40
  8,IS T :Y ! TE*NOCRATS >E S IMPOR-
TANT80
  ,H] MUM NO4$4 8,!Y HOLD ! SECRETS4 ,!Y
MAKE ! TE*NOLOGY1 !Y "U/& X4 ,WE LET !M
MAKE ! DECI.NS = U S WE A3EPT T !Y H
C]TA9 PRIVILEGES1 L TRAVEL40         #HH
  8,S "EY"O "KS80
  8,!Y DON'T T1* X AT ! LE>N+ C5T]1 B Y
WD H F.D \ SOON] OR LAT]40
  ,"! 0 A MO;T'S SIL;E4
  8,M>CIA ?9KS WE'RE OLD-FA%ION$40
  ,MRS4 ,BELL GAVE A WRY SMILE4 8,WE C]-
TA9LY DON'T LIVE Q Z !Y D40 ,%E /OOD UP4
8,I'M SORRY1 ,FLEUR10 %E SD S(TLY4 8,WE
DID \R BE/40 ,%E PAUS$ AT ! W9D[1 LOOK+
\ AT ! NI<T SKY Z IF ANSW]S LAY 2Y !
/>S4 8,GAV9 & YR DAD >5'T BACK YET4 ,D Y
WANT "S?+ 6EAT N[80
  8,I'LL WAIT4 ,B ,I'M N HUNGRY40
  ,MRS4 ,BELL B5T D[N & KISS$ H] DAU<T]
ON ! =EH1D4 ,H] MUM SEEM$ S =LORN T IM-
PULSIVELY ,FLEUR ?REW H] >MS AB H] NECK
& KISS$ H] 9 RETURN4 ,:5 %E 0 AL"O AG1
%E HU7$ H] KNEES 6H] *E/ & TRI$ 6IMAG9E
H]F BACK 9 ! DEP?S (! OC1N4 ,ONLY1 ? "T
X WD 2 = R1L4




               ,,*APT] #H            #HI

  ,"! 0 A 4TURB.E 9 ! H\SE4 ,GLAD (A
4TRAC;N1 ,FLEUR RAN 96! KIT*51 ": !
NOISE 0 -+ F4 ,H] MUM & DAD & ,GAV9 7
"!1 _! M\?S OP54
  ,GRUMPS /OOD 0! TA#1 ! D\< HOOK / ON !
5D ( 8 >M1 PLA/]$ ) DOLLOPS ( FL\R T 7
GRAVITAT+ T[>D ! FLOOR4 ,HE DIDN'T NO-
TICE4 ,8 EYES 7 FIX$ ON A /RANGE :ITE
OBJECT1 AB ,FLEUR'S HEI<T1 9 ! C5T] (!
KIT*54
  8,:AT A 2G9N+60 EXCLAIM$ ,MRS4 ,BELL4
8,I HOPE X ISN'T DAMAG$40
  ,! OBJECT 2GAN 6%AKE XF1 ?R[+ (F SMALL
CL\DS ( :ITE DU/4
  8,I AM MORTIFI$10 SD ,GRUMPS4 8,I IN-
T5D$ 6SWIT* (F MY MIX+ ME*ANISM4 ,9/1D
,I SEEM 6H TURN$ X 6FULL SPE$4 ,I _C EX-
PLA9 :Y40
  ,MRS4 ,BELL EX*ANG$ A GL.E ) H] HUSB&4
8,Y 7 TAK5 0SURPRISE1 ,GRUMPS4 ,X ISN'T
E "D WE H A NEW ROBOT 9 ! H\SE4 ,I C]-
TA9LY WASN'T EXPECT+ "O TN40
  ,! :ITE OBJECT 3T9U$ 6%AKE4 ,A PAIR (
RU2]Y H&S REV1L$ !MVS & CLAPP$ TGR   #IJ
T5TATIVELY4 ,L>GE DRIFTS ( FL\R FELL 6!
GR.D4 ,! H&S CLAPP$ AG4
  8,TRY JUMP+ UP & D[N10 SD ,GAV94 ,!
OBJECT OBEY$ &! AIR 0 ?ICK ) FL\R4
,FLEUR 0 APPALL$ AT ! FIGURE T EM]G$4
,%E LOOK$ AT H] MUM 6SEE H] REAC;N1 B
,MRS4 ,BELL SEEM$ DET]M9$ 6BE POSITIVE4
  8,WOND];L1 N[ WE C SEE Y PROP]LY4 '''
,HE'S V RU2]Y1 ISN'T HE80 %E A4$ 9VOLUN-
T>ILY4 ,? 0 TRUE4 ,! ROBOT'S >MS & LEGS1
: APPE>$ 6BE A S]IES ( RU2] R+S1 ON
CLOS] 9SPEC;N TURN$ \ 6BE S+LE PIECES (
RU2] -PRESS$ 96A 3C]T9A4 ,8 BODY 0 MET-
AL1 ! COLOR ( T>NI%$ BRONZE4 ,8 H1D 0
R.D & RU2]Y & 8 NECK ANO!R S]IES ( RU2]
R+S4
  8,IS ? X80 CRI$ ,FLEUR4 ,H] MUM LOOK$
REPROV+LY AT H]4 ,MR4 ,BELL /EPP$ =W>D4
8,GRUMPS1 GET A BRU% & GIVE ,,EGR#C A
PROP] CL1N4 ,PROVID$ T WON'T H>M YR ME*-
ANISM80 HE 9QUIR$ (! NEW ROBOT4
  8,OH1 NO1 ,I AM V ROBU/40
  8,X'S LATE10 3T9U$ ,MR4 ,BELL1 8& WE
HAV5'T _H SUPP] YET4 ,LET'S L1VE Y )
,GRUMPS = TN & WE C MEET AG 9 !      #IA
MORN+04
  ,! BUTL] REAPPE>$ )A F9E BRI/LE BRU% &
2GAN 6SWEEP AWAY ! RE/ (! FL\R4
  8,,EGR#C HAS -E 6HELP Y1 ,GRUMPS10 SD
,MRS4 ,BELL4 8,WE WANT Y 6T1* HM "EY?+ Y
"K40
  8,V WELL1 ,MRS4 ,BELL10 SD ,GRUMPS1
BRU%+ 9SIDE ! FOLDS (! NEW ROBOT'S >MS )
GRT 3C5TR,N4 8,B :AT ,I "K IS R OLD-
FA%ION$4 ,I AM N L ^! NEW ,8P]SONAL AS-
SI/ANT0' ROBOTS4 ,I DON'T "K AB (F]+ AD-
VICE ON YR CLO!S OR LI/5+ 6YR PRO#MS4
'''0
  8,WE'RE N EXPECT+ Y 6T1* ANY ( T10 SD
,MRS4 ,BELL1 TRY+ 6KEEP A /RAI<T FACE4
  8,LET'S EAT10 SD H] HUSB&4 8,GRUMPS1
LOOK AF ,,EGR#C TN4 ,Y C CLE> AWAY !
SUPP] DI%ES TM40
  ,HE U%]$ ! O!RS T[>D ! DOOR4 8,-E ON1
X'S RUDE 6/>E10 HE SD 6HIS WIFE & DAU<-
T]4 ,FLEUR LOOK$ AT H] DAD Z IF HE _H
G"O MAD4 ,X 0 ONLY A ROBOT1 AF ALL4
  8,EXCUSE ME10 SD A QUIET VOICE4 8,I
FEEL WE HAV5'T BE5 PROP]LY 9TRODUC$40
  ,! ,BELLS /OPP$ 9 _! TRACKS4       #IB
,ALL F\R ( !M />$ AT ,,EGR#C4
  8,ROBOT ETIQUETTE1 LESSON "O10 MUTT]$
,GAV94 ,HE /EPP$ =W>D4 8,LET ME 9TRODUCE
Y 6MY MUM1 %E'S CALL$ ,*LOE1 OR R1 ,MRS4
,BELL1 & ? IS MY SI/]1 ,FLEUR4 ,MY O!R
SI/]1 ,*>LOTTE1 HAS G"O 6B$ ''' %E'S A
BABY4 ,"EY"O--? IS ,,EGR#C4 ,PROFESSOR
,OGD5 SAYS HE'S ! F/ (A NEW BRE$ ( RO-
BOTS40
  8,WE'RE DELI<T$ 6H Y "H10 SD ,MRS4
,BELL1 SMIL+4 ,,EGR#C EXT5D$ A H& & %E
%OOK X )A S5SE ( 2WILD];T4 ,?\< %E ALW
9SI/$ ON SP1K+ K9DLY 6ROBOTS1 X 0 ANO!R
?+ ALT 6BE %AK+ H&S ) "O4
  ,FLEUR 0 LOOK+ SULL5LY AT ! NEW >RI-
VAL4 ,:5 ,,EGR#C (F]$ H] 8 H& %E HELD
BACK4 ,B Z %E MET 8 EYE1 "S?+ 9 ! RO-
BOT'S EAG] GAZE PROMPT$ H] 6/RET* \ H]
>M4 ,! H& T WRAPP$ XF >.D H]S 0 SURPRIS-
+LY /R;G & PLIA#4
  8,HELLO1 ,FLEUR40
  8,TILL TM1 !N10 SD ,MR4 ,BELL JOCUL>-
LY4 ,HE &! *N W5T (F 6! D9+ ROOM4 ,MRS4
,BELL C>RI$ "S (! DIRTY B[LS OV] 6!
DI%WA%]4                             #IC
  8,OH1 DE>10 %E SI<$4 8,I D HOPE !Y GET
ON4 ,X WD 2 S* A %AME1 WDN'T X1 IF !Y
F"\80 ,%OCK$1 %E R1LIZ$ %E 0 A4RESS+ H]
REM>KS 6! KETTLE1 & HURRI$ \ (! KIT*54
8.,Y'RE SUPPOS$ 6BE ! 9TELLIG5T LIFE >.D
"H60 %E REM9D$ H]F4

  ,MR4 ,BELL & ,GAV9 TOOK X 9 TURNS 6RE-
C.T :AT _H HAPP5$ AT ,PROFESSOR ,OGD5'S
H\SE4 ,FLEUR ONLY HALF LI/5$4 ,9 H] M9D
%E 0 GO+ OV] & OV] H] ^WS 6,M>CIA3 8,I
DON'T EXPECT WE'LL H AN ORD9>Y ROBOT40
,!Y C]TA9LY DIDN'T4 ,( C\RSE1 %E 0 N"E
GO+ 6SP1K 6,M>CIA AG1 AF ! WAY %E _H BE-
HAV$4 ,B H[ CD %E FACE H]1 H[ CD %E FACE
ANY"O1 )A R.D-H1D$ RU2] MIDGET 9 ATT5-
D.E8
  8,I SD1 :AT D Y ?9K1 ,FLEUR80 REP1T$
H] "F4
  8,HMM80
  8,:AT %D WE CALL HM8 ,! NEW ROBOT40
  ,X 0 ON ! TIP ( H] T;GUE 6SAY %E CDN'T
C>E LESS4 ,!N AN IMAGE CAME 6H] (! LOOK
9 ,,EGR#C'S EYES Z HE HELD H] H&4
8,EAG]10 %E HE>D H]F SAY+4           #ID
  8,EAG]80
  8,T'S J :AT HE'S L10 SD ,GAV9 EXCIT$-
LY4 8,EAG] 6MEET Y1 EAG] 6HELP1 EAG] TO
LE>N '''0
  8,Y %D H SE5 HM ON ! HOV]BUS10 MUS$
,MR4 ,BELL4 8,HE WD H %AK5 H&S ) "EY"O
IF WE _HN'T /OPP$ HM40
  8,EAG] X IS1 !N10 SD ,MRS4 ,BELL4
8,WE'LL H 6ASK HM IF HE LIKES X40 ,=
ONCE H] FAMILY DID N *ORUS3 8,B HE'S J A
MA*9E60
  8,I'LL G & ASK HM N[10 SD ,GAV91 :O
F.D HMF FEEL+ PROTECTIVE (! NEW ROBOT4
,HE WAS1 AF ALL1 "PLY RESPONSI# = BR++
,,EGR#C 6! H\SE4
  ,GRUMPS 0 9TRODUC+ ,,EGR#C 6! KIT*5
APPLI.ES4 8,? IS ! REFRIG]ATOR4 ,X LOOKS
AF ! FOOD T NE$S 6BE KEPT COOL4 ,X
DOESN'T SAY ANY?+10 HE SD 9 A 3FID5TIAL
T"O1 8B X WRITES MESSAGES 6LET U "K :5
FOOD IS RUNN+ \40 ,!Y MOV$ 6! OV54 8,V
CL"E10 SD ! BUTL]1 / 9 A L[ VOICE4
8,COOKS ! FOOD EXACTLY Z Y WANT X4 ,X
CR1TES M5US TOO40 ,GAV9 CAME 96! ROOM4
  8,& ?10 ,GRUMPS A4$1 RAIS+ 8       #IE
VOICE DRAMATIC,Y1 8IS ! KETTLE40 ,HE
SEEM$ 6BE WAIT+ = "S?+4
  8,HE WANTS Y 6SAY HELLO10 PROMPT$
,GAV94
  8,H[ D Y D80 SD ,,EGR#C4 ,! KETTLE
MADE NO RESPONSE4
  ,GRUMPS LOOK$ PL1S$ & %[$ ,,EGR#C A
SMALL ROOM (F ! KIT*54 8,WA%+ & DRY+ MA-
*9ES4 ,!Y'LL EXPLA9 "EY?+ Y NE$ 6"K10 HE
SD AIRILY4
  ,BACK 9 ! KIT*5 HE PO9T$ 6A L>GE CUP-
BO>D4 8,PANTRY4 ,=! FOOD T DOESN'T G 9 !
REFRIG]ATOR40
  8,WE NE$ C>ROTS10 SD ! CUPBO>D 9 A HI<
FLUT+ VOICE4
  8,! PANTRY &! REFRIG]ATOR >E 3NECT$ 6!
LOCAL FOOD /ORE4 ,!Y C ORD] FOOD DIRECT-
LY :5 WE RUN \4 ,B ,MR4 & ,MRS4 ,BELL L
6*ECK ! ORD]S 2F !Y G40
  8,I %D ?9K S60 SD ,GAV94 8,ONCE !Y OR-
D]$ TWELVE DOZ5 E7S 2T !M40
  ,! ROBOTS1 R1LIZ+ HE 0 / "!1 LOOK$ EX-
PECTANTLY AT HM4 8,I'VE -E 6TELL Y WE'VE
A NEW "N = Y1 ,,EGR#C4 ,IF Y L X1 (
C\RSE4 ,WE ?"\ WE'D CALL Y ,EAG]40   #IF
  ,,EGR#C'S RU2]Y F1TURES 7 EXPRES.N.S4
  8,EAG]3 >D5T1 KE5 & 5?USIA/IC10 SD
,GRUMPS1 :O _H AN 9BUILT DIC;N>Y4
  8,RE,Y80 SD ,,EGR#C4 8,DOES X RE,Y M1N
ALL ^? ?+S80
  ,GAV9 NO4$4
  8,I L X10 SD ,,EGR#C4
  8,EUPHORIC10 SD ,GAV94
  8,WD Y L A CUP ( TEA80 SD A VOICE4 8,I
AM PLUMB$ 96! WAT] SUPPLY & C FILL MYF
AUTOMATIC,Y40
  ,GRUMPS HURRI$ (F 6! S9K4 8,DON'T WOR-
RY10 :ISP]$ ,GAV9 9 RESPONSE 6,,EGR#C'S
/>TL$ LOOK4 8,I'LL EXPLA9 LAT]4 ',NI<T1
,EAG]40
  ,X 0 V QUIET 9 ! BIG KIT*5 AF ! BOY
LEFT4 ,EAG] LOOK$ >.D ! WALLS AT ! %9Y
APPLI.ES1 : SEEM$ 6/>T BLANKLY BACK AT
HM4 ,HE HE>D A L[ RUM# & TURN$ 6SEE
,GRUMPS APPROA*+4
  8,"T 6RE*>GE MY BATT]IES10 SD ! BUTL]4
8,EXCUSE ME IF ,I DON'T %[ Y ! RE/ (!
H\SE4 ,I'M SURE ! FAMILY W N M9D IF Y
EXPLORE X ON YR [N40 ,HE TURN$ T[>D ! F>
CORN] (! ROOM1 !N PAUS$1 SWIVEL+ 8   #IG
H1D R.D 6FACE ,EAG] AG4
  8,X IS NI<T"T1 ,I TRU/80
  ,EAG] 0 TAK5 ABACK4 ,( C\RSE X 0 NI<T-
"T4 ,X 0 D>K \TSIDE & ,GRUMPS _H J PRE-
P>$ SUPP]4 ,! RU2]Y R+S ( 8 NECK TILT$
6"O SIDE 6S5D EXTRA ?9K+ P[] 6HIS BRA94
,MR4 ,BELL _H EXPLA9$ ON ! HOV]BUS T
,GRUMPS "S"TS 2CAME 3FUS$4 ,P]H ? 0 :AT
HE _H M1NT4
  8,X IS NI<T"T10 HE SD1 COPY+ ! FIRM
T"OS T ,PROFESSOR ,OGD5 US$ = MAK+ IM-
PORTANT /ATE;TS4
  ,GRUMPS HELD 8 EYE =A SECOND L;G] Z IF
HE 0 SUSPICI\S4 8,Y >E A ROBOT10 HE SD
AT LA/1 8S Y _C LIE4 ,"!=E ,I M/ 2LIEVE
Y4 ,EXCUSE ME40
  ,EAG] REFLECT$4 ,O!R ROBOTS1 HE KNEW1
7 PROGRAMM$ 6TELL ! TRU?4 ,B HE _H BE5
DESIGN$ 6LE>N = HMF & MAKE 8 [N DECI.NS4
,IF HE WANT$ 6TELL A LIE HE CD4 ,HE _H
NO WI% 6LIE4 ,YET ! ?"\ /RUCK HM T 0N
TELL+ ,GRUMPS ! TRU?--T HE CD LIE IF HE
WI%$--HE ._H LI$1 9 A SORT ( WAY4 ,HE
RAIS$ 8 EYES 6! W9D[ &! D>K;S 2Y4 ,LIV+
9 ! R1L _W 0 F> M -PLICAT$ ?AN HE    #IH
_H IMAG9$4
  ,M1N:ILE ,GRUMPS _H 4APPE>$4 ,EAG]
SE>*$ HM \ AT ! OPPOSITE 5D (! KIT*54 ,Z
SOON Z HE SAW HM HE CRI$1 8,>E Y ALL
"R80 ,"! 0 NO REPLY4 ,! BUTL] /OOD 9 A
CORN]1 Z BLANK-FAC$ & 9ANIMATE Z ! KIT*5
APPLI.ES4 ,A ?9 CA# DANGL$ F 8 SIDE & F$
AT ! O!R 5D 96! WALL4 ,EAG] R1LIZ$ T
,GRUMPS M/ H TURN$ HMF (F :ILE HE 0 RE-
*>G+2 N"O!.S HE FELT UNCOM=TA# AT ! SI<T
& MOV$ AWAY3
  ,6ALL 9T5TS & PURPOSES1 ,EAG] 0 AL"O 9
! KIT*54 ,HE HURRI$ OV] 6! DOOR1 : OP5$
S.D.SLY AT 8 APPROA*1 & PE]$ D[N ! HALL-
WAY4 ,X 0 EMPTY & SIL5T4 ,! FAMILY M/ H
G"O 6B$4 ,HE _H NO WI% 6V5TURE ANY FUR-
!R1 Z ,GRUMPS _H SU7E/$4 ,AF 8 SMALL
ROOM AT ! TOP ( ,PROFESSOR ,OGD5'S H\SE1
? NEW HOME SEEM$ HUGE & UNWELCOM+4
  ,EAG] W5T BACK 96! KIT*5 & F.D A SPOT
F : ! BUTL] 0 \ ( VIEW4 ,HE WD TURN D[N
8 P[]1 J 5 6KEEP 8 ?"\S TICK+ OV]1 & USE
! D>K H\RS 6REFLECT ON ALL T _H HAPP5$
6HM4 ,HE WOND]$ :AT ,PROFESSOR ,OGD5 0
DO+1 N[ T HE NO L;G] _H 6VISIT !     #II
SMALL ROOM ABV 8 LABORATORY 9 ! MI4LE (!
NI<T4 ,AN IMAGE (! PROFESSOR'S SL[ SMILE
DRIFT$ 2F HM1 & ,EAG] QKLY TURN$ 8 M9D
6O!R ?+S4




















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